Silk Road of Uzbekistan

Arrive in Tashkent where you will be greeted at the airport and then taken to your hotel in the city. 

Spend the morning at your leisure, you may choose to rest after the long journey, or you could explore the local area.

In the afternoon you might like your local guide to take you to see some of the sights of the capital, starting with the State Museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan, where you will be able to see local textiles, jewellery, wood carvings, copper work, national dress and musical instruments amongst the vast collection of artefacts.

You could then head to Chorsu market, a huge domed bazaar selling fruit and veg, meat, spices, freshly baked bread and household goods. This iconic building is a work of art in itself. This is a local’s market and provides an interesting snapshot of city life in the old quarter.

A highlight of the bazaar is watching the bread being baked, and then trying it hot and fresh straight out of the oven. Delicious!

Today you’ll have the opportunity to use Tashkent’s impressive metro network. It is one of only two public rail underground systems in Central Asia (the other being in Almaty, Kazakhstan) and is famed for its ornate stations, each being an original work of art with its own individual theme and designed by leading architects and artists of the country.

You might like to round off your day in Tashkent at The Hazrati Imam Ensemble, a tranquil space in the remains of the Old City (the rest was destroyed by an earthquake in 1966 and has since been rebuilt) consisting of a large public square surrounded by the mosques, madrassas, a mausoleum and a museum. There's no better way to unwind and relax than to spend some time here taking in the skyline of shimmering domes and minarets.

In the evening you could enjoy a delicious meal at the hotel, reflecting on your first impressions of Uzbekistan. 

Saying goodbye for now to Tashkent, you can transfer to the city’s Domestic Airport and catch an internal flight to Nukus. 

Your driver will be waiting for you at the airport and will transport you to the Nukus Museum of Art established in 1966 by Igor Savitsky. It is widely recognized as having one of the finest art collections in Central Asia and the second biggest and most significant collection of Russian Avant-garde in the world.

You could spend around 2-3 hours at the museum before taking a break for lunch in a local restaurant. Currently only the main building is open but there are 3 large floors of artwork in many forms including paintings, ceramics, sculpture, photography, ethnic dress, textiles and jewellery for you to view and enjoy. 
Spend the rest of the day driving to Khiva, with your journey being punctuated by some interesting stops. Your first break could be the ruins of Toprak-Kala – the capital of Khorezm in 3rd c. AD. You might like to spend a bit of time exploring the site and taking pictures.

You might also enjoy briefly stopping at Shylpyk-Kala – a Zoroastrian ‘Tower of Silence’ known as a ‘dakhma’ which you will see looming in the distance. Zoroastrians would practice the funerary ritual of a ‘sky burial’ where the dead were laid out and exposed to the elements and birds of prey where it was believed their bodies would be purified. Later the clean bones would be collected and taken to a nearby ossuary. 

You can also also pay a visit to Ayaz Kala – two ancient fortresses perched atop adjacent hillsides, one infront of the other, with commanding views across the Kyzylkum Desert. This is a great sunset location with stunning views.

On arrival into Khiva you will be taken to your hotel which is located just outside the old city walls and a short walk away from all of the excitement. Savour a lovely dinner at the hotel before settling in for the night, or perhaps take an after-dinner stroll around the compact walled city and even do a bit of souvenir shopping.
 

Khiva sets the scene for the quintessential eastern fairy-tale, and its most notable sights are easy to reach owing to its compact size. Majestic minarets and mausoleums, heritage and arts have all been well preserved in this city and represent its finest treasure. Spend two full days here and get to know all of the corners and alleyways  of Khiva; a city like no other.

Early risers should aim to get up to explore the deserted streets  and watch as the buildings change hue with the rising sun.

On your first day your guide will take you on a walking tour, showing you the highlights of the Ichan-Kala architectural complex, the residence of the last Khiva Khan. 

Stops on your tour could include the Ismail Khodja Mausoleum, Muhammed Amin Khan Madrassah, Kunya-Ark Castle, Kalta Minor Tower, and Tash-Hovli Palace.  As you navigate the atmospheric narrow streets,  keep your eyes peeled for the intricately carved doorways set within the alleyways. 

You might also see the Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum and enjoy a moment of tranquillity, before heading to the Juma Mosque which provides a sharp contrast to the detailed blue and turquoise tiling that you have seen quite a lot of in the city so far. 

The Juma Mosque sits in the middle of the Ichan-Kala complex and the unassuming outside tells you nothing of the peaceful forest- like interior. The sight of 212 individually carved wooden pillars greets us, each unique in its design, and some dating back to the 10th Century.

In the late afternoon on your final day in Khiva, you can visit the rooftop of Ak Sheikh Bobo Tower for sunset. This look-out post gives the perfect birdseye view of the architectural delights you will have been enjoying throughout the last two days.

Lunches and dinners are best enjoyed in local restaurants within the city walls each day.
 

Today you might like to enjoy some free time in the city of Khiva, letting yourself get lost in the labyrinth of alleyways and exploring the city at your own pace. You can spend some time meandering around the shops picking up souvenirs, and soaking up the rich history of the place. 

Once you have enjoyed breakfast at the hotel, you will get on the road and head for your next destination; the holy city of Bukhara.

Back in the day, the journey from Khiva to Bukhara took travellers and merchants over a month to complete. These days it takes 6-7 hours by motor vehicle, traversing the mysterious red desert of Kyzyl-Kum. You can only imagine what kind of secrets lay beneath the sprawling sands.

On your journey to Bukhara you can make a photo stop at the great Amu Darya River, which begins in the Pamir mountains along the border of Tajikistan and Afghanistan before traversing through Uzbekistan and into the remains of the southern Aral Sea.

Once you reach Bukhara, you can check-in to your hotel straight away and enjoy a wander over to the leafy enclave of Lyabi-Khauz, lined with cafes and shops. The focal point here is the Nadir Divan-Beghi Madrassa which has an unusual symmetrical design on its portal consisting of two Simurgh (mythical birds from Persian mythology, similar to the Phoenix) carrying white deer with their talons, and the curious ‘man in the sun’ dial just above the apex.

This area provides a relaxing spot to enjoy people watching and the views of the mosaic adorned madrassas before your evening meal.

The ancient city of Bukhara was a notable stop-off for traders on the Silk Road and was also considered a great seat of learning for Islamic theologians. Its rich cultural heritage has earned it the well-deserved nickname of ‘Splendor of the East’, and you can have the pleasure of spending the next 2 days here.

You will start the first day with a visit to the Mausoleum of Ismoil Samani which is the second oldest mausoleum in the Islamic world, and the oldest in Central Asia. The design is unusual in that it is almost entirely constructed of baked brick. The repeated patterns are said to create a ‘calculated harmony and a sense of infinity’. 

You will then be transported to the Bolo Khauz Mosque for a short stop to view its magnificent open veranda. Twenty wooden pillars stand in the veranda and the story goes that if you see a perfect reflection of all 20 pillars in the pool opposite then you shall have good luck, as the number 40 is believed to be sacred. 

Nearby stands the Ark of Bukhara, a 5th Century fortress which resembles something from a storybook legend. It’s incredibly photogenic and you may see the odd camel wandering about!

The heart of Bukhara consists of a plethora of beautifully preserved Islamic Architecture as well as ornate wood carvings. You will visit the Poi Kalon Ensemble (Pedestal of the Great) which features the Kalon Minaret, Kalon Mosque, and the Miri Arab Madrassah with their stunning turquoise domes. 

You might also decide to visit the curious monument of Chor-Minor (four minarets), a stubby construction that looks somehow unreal. You can also explore the well-maintained gardens that surround it. Nearby curios shops sell trinkets, old pin badges and uniforms from the Soviet era and provide an interesting diversion.

In your free time we would suggest a visit to the  Bukhara Dome Bazaars (dated 15-16 centuries): Toki Saraffon (the Dome of Moneychangers), Toki-Telpak Furushon (the Dome of Cap makers), Toki Zargaron (the Dome of jewellers) and Tim Abdullakhan (the Center of silk).

A nice diversion that you can also enjoy is a trip to a local carpet emporium where an expert will talk you through the different types. Carpets woven by hand in Uzbekistan are on a par with the quality and elegance of Persian carpets and you may find yourselves tempted to make a purchase!

Very close to your hotel behind an unassuming door is a miniatures gallery and workshop which is a great stop to view the work and meet some of the artists. It’s a beautiful space with a bright and leafy inner courtyard full of artists at work. The first floor is where you will find a lot of the work displayed, and there is also beautiful and unusual hand-crafted jewellery for sale.

You can find some local restaurants in the city serving incredible lunch and dinners.

Today you can explore the city at your leisure, strolling through the citadel streets and making the most of all it has to offer. Bukhara has so many sights to see and experiences to be had!

After an early breakfast at the hotel,  set out on the journey to a traditional yurt camp where you will spend one night getting back to basics and enjoying the tranquillity of the Uzbek wilderness.

On the way you can stop off at the city of Gijduvan, famed for its prize-winning ceramists, and visit the house-museum of one such artisan. You can take time to view the processes that are undertaken to create the beautiful ceramic tableware, and even purchase some pieces to take back home.

You will then continue your journey until you reach Yangigazgan village, just outside Nurota, where your yurt camp awaits. You will have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the solitude. There is also the opportunity to have a short ride on a Bactrian camel should you wish!

Keep your eyes peeled for the playful ground squirrels that burrow in the sands, as well as scuttling dung beetles, and Asian tortoises making their slow journey across the land.

Tonight, you will enjoy your evening meal at camp and afterwards, gather round the fire for some traditional music performed by a national Kazakh singer (Akyn) under a blanket of stars.

(Please note that you will need to a share a bathroom at the Yurt camp)

After a delicious and hearty breakfast at the yurt camp,  you can then make the short drive down to Aydarkul Lake and admire the vast blue expanse before you.

Your journey continues across the desert and you can stop for lunch on the way.

In the afternoon you will reach the mystical city of Samarkand, where you might want your first stop to be the Guri Emir Mausoleum - Tamerlane's Tomb. What you will find here is that the interior is just as stunning as the exterior, something you will come across quite a lot with the sights of Samarkand. You can choose to have a short tour of the incredible complex.

You might want to head to your hotel and settle in before your evening meal. You can once again find a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, before settling in for the evening at your hotel. 

The science and art of the East have long been concentrated in the city of Samarkand, and you now have two full days as well as most of your penultimate day in Uzbekistan to fully immerse yourself in the wonders.

You could spend a day at the Registan Square complex, taking in its grandeur. The square is flanked by grand Madrassas on 3 sides – Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilya-Kori. Your guide will give you a tour of the complex and give you some background information to put everything into context before you wander off to do your own exploring.  

The square itself is a beautiful sight but delve into each Madrassa and you’ll discover many hidden delights and quiet corners.  The majestic portals of each madrassa, the grand turquoise domes, the intricate tile work.

You could pay a visit to the Bibi-Khonum Mosque, a beautifully symmetrical complex with some very impressive domes and a peaceful courtyard. Originally built in the 15th Century and at one time considered one of the finest mosques in the Islamic world, it was later left to ruin. The mosque was largely re-built in the Soviet era and the result is what we see today. - it is magnificent!

After the tranquility of the mosque, you can wander over to the bustling East Siab Bazaar and see a slice of everyday life in the city. Grab a freshly squeezed pomegranate juice to sip as you look at the stalls.

The architectural Complex Shah-i-Zinda is a Necropolis perched on a hillside overlooking the city. It is here where you will see some of the most intricate and impressive tile work in Uzbekistan. Why not spend a long afternoon here admiring the patterns, shimmering domes and tomb portals, finished by watching the sun set over the cityscape before heading back to your hotel. 

Morning drive out of the city to visit Konigil Tourism Village (approximately 10 km away).  The village covers a large territory consisting of several workshops that present silk paper making, wood carving, pottery, bread making, metal carving, golden embroidery, as well as agricultural displays. 

Wander around at your leisure, getting acquainted with these traditional arts and enjoy watching the artisans at work. This is a great place to pick up souvenirs to take home for friends and family.

There's plenty of time to explore today as the train back to Tashkent does not depart until late afternoon. Return to Samarkand after your visit to Konigil and spend your remaining hours in the city back at Registan Square, perhaps doing some last-minute shopping as this is one of the best places with the greatest selection. 

Transfer to Samarkand Railway Station for your high-speed train journey back to Tashkent. On arrival you will meet your driver and transfer back to the Qushbegi Plaza Hotel.

Enjoy one last dinner, reminiscing on your highlights of this beguiling country.
 

Wish Uzbekistan a fond farewell as you check-out of your room after breakfast and head to Tashkent Airport in time for your flight.

Check in and set off for your home country, hopefully brimming with the excitement and joys of being in Uzbekistan!

Do get in touch if you’d like to add additional nights on to your adventure – we have lots of suggestions for places to visit including museums, galleries, beautiful metro stations, leafy parks, great viewpoints, and restaurants to feast in.

Uzbekistan is a country brimming with treasures!